Antenna Heating Apparatus
OwnerMichael Cummingsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Antenna heating apparatus includes a cover element adapted for covering a signal receiving surface of an antenna, and a heating element on the cover element. The cover element has a body portion which is shaped differently to that of the signal receiving surface of the antenna. The differently shaped body portion 16, preferably having a rear surface which is planar or concave so as to be spaced from the signal receiving surface of the antenna, in use defines at least in part a plenum chamber for heated air between the body portion and the signal receiving surface of the antenna. A method of preventing or limiting accumulation of precipitation on an antenna by use of such antenna heating apparatus is also provided.
Claims20
An Antenna heating apparatus comprising a cover element adapted for covering a signal receiving surface of an antenna, and a heating element on the cover element, the cover element comprising a body portion which is shaped differently to that of the signal receiving surface of the antenna to in use define at least in part a plenum chamber for heated air between the body portion and the signal receiving surface of the antenna.
A method of preventing or limiting accumulation of precipitation on an antenna by use of antenna heating apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) mounting a cover element to an antenna whereby a plenum chamber is formed at least between a signal receiving surface of the antenna and a rear surface of a body portion of the cover element which is shaped differently to that of the signal receiving surface of the antenna;
- and b) energising a heating element on the cover element to heat air in the plenum chamber whereby precipitation on the body portion of the cover element is reduced or removed.
An Antenna apparatus comprising an antenna, the antenna comprising a signal receiving surface, a cover element which covers the signal receiving surface of the antenna, and a heating element on the cover element, the cover element comprising a body portion which comprises a rear surface shaped differently to that of the signal receiving surface of the antenna so as to be spaced from the signal receiving surface whereby a plenum chamber is defined between the body portion and the signal receiving surface of the antenna to hold air heated by the heating element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.